Police

Authorities say an inmate who killed two bailiffs during a July 11 escape attempt from a southwestern Michigan courthouse wrote a letter to his ex-wife explaining that he was “going on the run” or would “die trying.” Details of the letter by 44-year-old Larry Darnell Gordon, as well as video and audio from courthouse cameras were revealed Friday during a …

Security at St. Joseph County’s historic courthouse and its courts building is in store for a significant enhancement following action this week by the county board of commissioners. The boost will cost more than $500,000 in personnel alone. Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite told commissioners Tuesday quotes regarding several other precautions – including external and internal security cameras, replacing glass and doors, …

A serial home invader who was confronted by an 11-year-old girl with a shotgun in Lapeer County has been sentenced to at least 25 years in prison. James Wasson was sentenced Tuesday for a series of robberies. He owes his victims more than $10,000. Prosecutor Tim Turkelson says Wasson finally was stopped as he tried to flee the county in …

Police are investigating a robbery that occurred last weekend at Dollar General in White Pigeon. The man entered the store around 7 p.m. Sunday and handed the clerk a note, demanding money from the cash register. The clerk complied. He left in a 2004 or ‘05 silver Chevy Malibu with a temporary Indiana plate. Authorities said the suspect is a …

Sheriff’s department deputies were called over the weekend to a location in Mendon Township regarding larceny from several vehicles. The incidents occurred between 6 p.m. Friday and 6 a.m. Saturday in the 24000 block of Prairie Corners Road. Investigators said suspects entered vehicles near a residence, and stole power tools and money.

A motorcyclist not wearing a helmet was hospitalized after he was involved in a single-vehicle accident Thursday in Flowerfield Township. Sheriff’s deputies said 32-year-old Marcellus resident Michael Lay was driving west on Floating Bridge Road shortly before 8 p.m. when he lost control of his motorcycle while rounding a curve near Pulver Road. Lay was thrown from the motorcycle and …

Two juveniles and an adult are in custody after the Cass County Sheriff’s Department was called to a report of a breaking and entering, and vandalism last week. Sheriff Joe Underwood said the three gained access into Ross Beatty High School between 12:30 and 2 a.m. July 12. Once inside the Cassopolis-based school, the three allegedly damaged technology equipment, fiber-optic …

The courthouse tragedy in Berrien County earlier this week drew the bulk of attention during Wednesday’s St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners’ executive committee meeting. The situation garnered more than a half hour of discussion, which concluded with Undersheriff Mark Lillywhite and Sheriff Brad Balk indicating their plan to seek additional funds from commissioners to better secure the county courthouse. …

Sturgis police this week arrested two people after they were caught using an unauthorized credit card. The suspects, whose names, ages and communities of residence were not disclosed in a department media release, were arrested around 7 a.m. Tuesday in the 500 block of South Centerville Road. After further investigation, officers found the suspects were in possession of multiple unauthorized …

A man accused of killing five people when he plowed his speeding pickup truck into a group of Michigan bicyclists had taken pain pills and muscle relaxers less than two hours earlier, according to police reports. Charles Pickett Jr., 50, was initially charged with second-degree murder in the June 7 crash in Kalamazoo County. Charges of driving while intoxicated causing …